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Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (1446)Comment receiving replies
There is a misnomer out there that an audiologist, preferably an AUD, is the best for hearing aids. Training the audiologists and hearing instrument specialists in a major manufacturing facility taught me the secret is more in the programming, not the education. Most AUDs are exempt from taking state licensing tests and so have very few real life experiences in learning OJT for an extensive training program. A good example is a patient comes in with squealing in his/her aids. An AUD, newly out of school , will take the highs down. An experienced professional would know to leave the highs that the patient needs in there, and compensate by increasing some lows. I have worked in ENT clinics, for ENT physicians, set up protocols for large chains which often employee audiologists, usually for insurance purposes. The same aids you might get in a physician's office could be purchased at Costco under a private label and be $4000 less expensive. Not only that, but take the aids back in 2 years and Costco would refund your money. They don't "sell last year's models" as I set up many of the protocols for Costco. They sell top quality and have a return policy of 90 days. The audiologists are great for complicated fittings like bi-cross or cross or anyone under 18 yrs of age. And outside of the VA, Costco does more hearing aids than any one else in the US and have strict education guidelines. I have also worked for OTC hearing aid companies including United Health Care, and for a routine high frequency loss, OTC can be quite effective if you have multiple programs. Often these OTC hearing aids also employee some audiologists, some hearing aid dispensers and then there's also customer service reps, which don't know that much. I would suggest getting a copy of Consumer Reports, research want you want, and then shop around. Check the feedback. And you will save quite a bit of money and be happy in the end. Gina
Replies to "There is a misnomer out there that an audiologist, preferably an AUD, is the best for..."
Reply to earscan (Gina): I recommend Costco; that's where I bought an aid for my "sorta" hearing ear (other one is toast). The fitter (or whatever I should call Ms. Wonder Woman) is great: she has studied a great deal and knows more than either of the audiologists (or the doc) at the big CI clinic two hours away. Believe it or not, she actually knows what Meniere's Disease is and how to fit an aid that will work for someone with it. My single aid cost $1,500 instead of over $3,000; it's a Bernefon (Oticon). Costco has a very liberal return policy. Also, there's zero charge for additional hearing tests, adjustments, etc. For the $1,500 I spent, I've seen this woman several times, as I went bilateral a year after buying the aid for my "good" ear. She was able to reset the aid so that I could tolerate the recruitment that comes with Meniere's now that both ears are affected. The one thing I'd say is that not all Costcos are equal, so, if the one nearest you doesn't have a great person to fit your aid, try another Costco.
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@earscan Some of the information you've posted is incorrect. Officially, OTC hearing aids are not yet on the market. The FDA has not written and published the regulations for them. At this point, while some of the devices being advertised as hearing aids, they are not so under regulations. Until the FDA regulations are published and posted there are no legitimate OTC hearing aids. Hopefully that will happen soon.
Those who are audiologists (AuD) have more than a master's degree in audiological studies. They have a doctorate degree. Hearing instrument specialsts (HIS) do not have that kind of education and many don't have any college level training. Yes, some do as this is a lucrative profession. In my state, both AuD and HIS take the same state exam to be licensed to sell hearing aids. Most HIS do internships before taking the exam. I believe that is typical of most other states. Personally, I believe in education and would be inclined to put my trust and health in the hands of someone who is educated in the field I have issues in.
There is way to much misinformation in the hearing healthcare field. Distorted information as well. Most advertisements for hearing aids market denial by suggesting that people should hide their hearing loss with 'invisible' products. It's a shame that hearing instruments cost so much. That would change if the people who could benefit from them would get them, or if insurance coverage for them would be standard. Many cannot afford to buy them, and denial fuels that fire.
I would also point out that while the big box stores do sell quality hearing instruments, some of those stores are able to 'lock' the hearing aids they sell. This simply means that they cannot be adjusted or repaired by another entity. Not a good deal if you need support and are not in a place where that particular franchise is available to you.
Hearing aids have been part of my life for over 40 years. I am thankful for the information I have accumulated.